Description: Metallic sphere weighing approx. fifty-two (52) pounds with a circumference of thirty-two (32) inches. It has what appears to be a removable disk, or plate, that measures six and one halve (6 1/2) inches across containing eight (8) small threaded holes and a larger threaded hole in the center. I have never attempted to remove this part. It has a gray metallic coating resembling a very hard Teflon like material. Because of it's weight I assumed that it was constructed of steel, but was surprised to discover that it is not attracted to a magnet.

History: The object was found in the woods of North Alabama in the mid 1980s. It appeared to have fallen a great distance as it was embedded in the ground (red clay) with only a small portion visible. Soon after it's discovery, I contacted the U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL and gave them a description of the ball and my name, address and phone number. I was told that someone would contact me, but never heard from anyone. I then called NASA and gave them the same description and contact information. Never heard from them. I later called the Huntsville Police Bomb Squad division and was visited by two officers just minutes after calling. After inspection they told me that it was probably secretly manufactured by the government as it had no markings of origin. They had seen other stuff in the past including circuit boards with no markings that turned out to be such. I asked them if they thought it could be alien. They both had a big laugh and explained that this was impossible as it contained screws.... as if screws could only be a human invention!! They wanted my permission to take it with them, but I decided against it as they explained that they were going to destroy it. (Their policy was to destroy any thing that they could not identify!). Anyway, I have had this thing ever since and have never found an explanation. Many people have seen it (I kept it on my desk as a conversation piece for years.) and have offered a few theories: A simple weight, Time Capsule, Device used for tracking purposes, part of an aircraft and etc. Some even believe that it may be of alien construction!

((NUFORC Note: We suspect that the object is not UFO-related, but we would be interested to know what the object is. We will encourage the owner to measure the threads on the machine screws, in order to establish whether they are a metric or English thrread. PD))

((FOLLOW-UP COMMUNICATION))

Dear Mr. Davenport:

Thank you so much for your interest and reply.

First, to answer your question... Each of the screw holes, including the center hole does not admit a view of the interior. The center hole terminates in the plate itself, while the other eight bores through two layers.

I have not attempted to remove the "Door" of the Sphere. I think mostly out of paranoia of the unknown content. Could it possibly be radioactive, or maybe booby trapped with an explosive? This "Thing" has never been x-rayed or monitored for any sort of emissions. I would rather leave this to professionals.

I have noticed, though, that it appears to have a hollow space. If you strike the side with a hard object, it responds with a "ping". Striking the side opposite the "Door" results in a thud. This also leads me to believe that it's far too intricate to be a simple weight.

Thanks again

((END FOLLOW-UP))

((FOLLOW-UP))

Hello

Thanks again for your interest. Please feel free to use any correspondence that may help unfold this mystery. I am eager to learn the origin of this "Thing" and very curios as to it's content.

I have no clue of the type of metal the sphere is made of. I can tell you that it has no magnetic draw. This surprised me considering it's weight. Obviously it is not steel. There are a few places where the coating has been scratched. These happened over the years that it was in my possession. It was absolutely pristine when it was discovered and sustained no damage whatsoever from it's fall from the sky. It was found embedded in red clay (the consistency of modeling clay). So, it had a "soft" landing as opposed to hitting rocks or gravel, etc. Most of the existing scars were produced by hammer blows or other hard objects. Once a friend actually slammed it onto his concrete drive way in attempt to crack it open. The only result was a cracked driveway!

I have not had access to any Geiger counters or x-ray devices, but I will try the Film trick. Thanks for that bit of advise.